Editorial: Time for a reset
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
Farmers are well-placed to survive any potential financial uncertainty from major setbacks such as global warming, a new Lincoln University research has found.
Lincoln University academics Bruce Greig, Peter Nuthall and Kevin Old surveyed more than 400 farmers and found the majority of farms are financially strong.
Associate Professor Nuthall said it is “highly likely” farmers would survive most price downturns and the impacts of global warming.
He said an assessment of the financial resilience of New Zealand farms was particularly important given changing weather patterns stemming from global warming may exacerbate supply shifts, and the opening of world markets through trade agreements could lead to fluctuating supply and demand, all increasing price volatility.
However, their results showed most farmers and their farms are in “a zone of stable functioning in which they can operate and absorb financial shocks in at least the short term”.
“Profit levels are not high relative to the investment, but this has been the case for decades and has not caused problems due to farmer and farm family resilience,” Nuthall said.
“This does not mean some farmers have not struggled financially, particularly over periods of low payouts, including low wool prices, and periods of severe drought. New farmers with high initial debt will have found it difficult to meet their commitments in these periods.
“The majority, however, have had the equity to cope, especially the significant numbers with 100% equity.”
However, he said, action to maintain current financial levels through prudent production system selection and good financial management will be needed.
Figures from the article
- Farm equity is, on average, nearly 82%
- 62% of fruit/viticulture operations have 100% equity but this ranged down to 10% of the dairy farmers having 100% equity.
- 12.8% of farms had at least $8 million debt, and on the other side of the ledger, 12.2% had an asset total of greater than $20 million.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.